GRM Forum August 2020 Model Car Challenge Contest!

Of course I wound up on the phone for an hour talking to a nice old guy who wants to buy the motorcycle I have for sale. I've been working on this off and on throughout the day as stuff dries and took these pics while the steering column is still drying. I hope it can be considered 'finished' as I only have to put the steering column/wheel in once it sets up. Reminder, this is what I was honoring:

Dad's Jeep was a darker blue but was originally painted some sort of light blue. The blue I chose falls somewhere in-between. The lighting makes it look WAY brighter than it actually is. I need to get some sunlight photos of it for you to understand.

I just realized I forgot to take an engine photo. I'll be doing a video review of this later in the week so I'll cover it all then.

Dad's Jeep had a hardtop which I always hated. He also drove around with old DeSoto hubcaps on it which I also hated. I built this the way I would have restored it had I been lucky enough to inherit it.

The hood doesn't fully close due to some gap issues I saw too late. I left the hole in the tailgate for the spare in case I ever find a fifth tire like the ones I used (the kit ones were way too big). This kit had far more detail than I'd ever expect from MPC and a lot of teeny-tiny parts (those hood latches!) that really helped make it what it is. Too bad these are going for $40-$50 or more now. Hopefully Round2 will find the molds and reissue it.

I too am fine with calling it tonight. I await photos!

Zack

I'm pushing through hard

I got a lot more done on the Avanti than I expected, but since it is not complete, the Lotus is my official entry. And, since it is not completed in the contest time I will drift a little away from the photo of the real car I posted at the beginning, more towards my preferences if I could stand to have another 1/1 scale one. A car I want to like, but the reality is a let down. The AMT kit, however, is one of their very best efforts, and the mold dates from 1964. Yes there are a few fit issues, but since this one was produced when the mold was already 35 or 40 years old, they were pretty minor. The only detail quibbles I have are in the interior, and one of them is really an issue only because the (correctly hinged) doors open. That one is the pedals were molded into the floor. I made separate ones. The other is the total lack of an interior mirror. Parts box to the rescue. Some photos as it exists tonight. Still needs some more electricals in the engine bay, and a lot more road dirt on bottom, Studebakers leak like they're English.

In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :

Once the interior is installed those pleats will look super.

In reply to Benswen :

For the subject matter the Volvo is my favorite build here. I wish the kit had an engine, but that absence will help me keep my wallet full, well, less empty....

I might make it!

Done enough for the contest! 

TurnerX19 said:

In reply to Benswen :

For the subject matter the Volvo is my favorite build here. I wish the kit had an engine, but that absence will help me keep my wallet full, well, less empty....

That's kept me from buying a lot of the newest kits that have come out recently from companies like NuNu. I LOVE the subject matter, but have a hard time dropping $60 on a kit with such little engine, chassis, and interior detail... although they do have great bodies that look awesome on the shelf! 

Daylight photos! No additional work done, just the sun coming up so I can take photos.

Grandpa's 1960 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe mild custom, 348 W-motor big block, tri-power, and 4-speed.

Replica version:

Lowered suspension, the 18" 5-spoke wheels, lake pipes, dual antennas, and some shaved chrome.

Interior

Tuck and roll upholstery.

Engine bay

Chassis

Cadillac taillights

This was the most frustrating kit I've built in years. A lot of terrible fit issues were compounded by paint that still isn't totally dry and glue that didn't want to actually hold the plastic together.

I still have to detail some more chrome, finish the exhaust pipes, and polish up the paint before shipping it to Gramps.

In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :

Do you use the old Testors red tube glue? 
I recently bought some, and it doesn't seem to melt the plastic together like the older stuff did. 
 

How about a summary post to make it easier on the judges? 

In reply to Saron81 :

I used Tamiya ultra thin, then regular Tamiya, and finally gel super glue. This plastic is weird.

Yes, I'll be getting a summary post up as soon as I get home from the doctor.

TurnerX19 said:

In reply to Benswen :

For the subject matter the Volvo is my favorite build here. I wish the kit had an engine, but that absence will help me keep my wallet full, well, less empty....

I've seen builds of that kit online with a scratch-built engine bay.  A Mustang SVO 2.3 turbo would make a good approximation of a Redblock.  I hear what you're saying, though.  I used to skip over any "curbside" kit (which means like half of the Japanese stuff) but the reality is that no one ever picks my built kits up off the shelf and opens the hoods... :)

Official Entries: GRM has asked that there are no doubled-up winners, so guys hosting the classes, please get with each other and pick out your winners for the kits each and the GRM gift card, so say a "1st/2nd/3rd" and specify who gets what. I want everyone to vote on the Best in Show, so please pick your favorite!

Racecar Class:

ZackM's Mitsubishi Starion:

Javelin's HO Scale Datsun Z FP:

ZackM's BMW M3 "Test Car"

TurnerX19's 1963 Lotus 25:

slowbird's Ford Torino short track car:

ZackM's WRC Impreza:

BenB's Indy Car:

sofly's Mustang short track car:

Saron81's Monte Carlo NASCAR:

ZackM's AE92 Corolla GrpA car:

BenSwen's Volvo touring car:

Saron81's Pontiac Grand Prix NASCAR:

Snowdoggie's McLaren 2/3:

Replica Class:

TurnerX19's Studebaker Avanti:

ddavidv's 1957 Jeep CJ-5:

vwcorvette's 1964 Chevrolet Corvette:

Claff's NA Miata:

Javelin's 1960 Chevrolet Impala:

In reply to Benswen :

For me this is it. I enjoy the builds with the engines and try to display them with the hoods off at times etc. But most the time the interior and the body are what is seen on the shelf, and the Japanese curbside kits excel in those areas. 

Zack

great efforts everyone, cool to see such a variety! hopefully everyone else had as much fun as I did doing this.

Great job to all. Some really great builds in each class. 

Zack

My vote for best in show?  This is a tough one - in the "Replica" catagory I'm really impressed with how well the 1:1 scale cars (Jeeps!) were represented, especially the BRG Miata and the red '64 Vette.  Now that I have some decal experience I know how hard they can be to get right, so I really like the WRX and Indy cars in the "Racecar" class. 

Overall, I have to go with TurnerX19's Lotus as "Best in Show" for combining near-psychotic levels of detail with excellent technique.  It really does look like a little piece of art.

On a sort of related note, how the heck does ZackM find the time for 4! nice builds in a month?! :)

Benswen said:

On a sort of related note, how the heck does ZackM find the time for 4! nice builds in a month?! :)

I usually don't get that many built in a year, and they're never anywhere near as nice as Zacks.

Great job on all of the builds, everyone!

Haha! Yeah I have been getting a lot of kits down without racing season going on. I spend most of my time at home in the hobby room after the wife goes to sleep, so I get a lot of tinkering in. Thanks for the comments guys, I am happy with the builds. 

I second the notion for the Lotus being best in show this round. Attention to detail is great on that car, and they are tiny!

Zack

Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:

Done enough for the contest! 

this is so good i thought was looking at the real car in both pics. i'd say it was worth the effort and frustration!! 

ZackM said:

 

I second the notion for the Lotus being best in show this round. Attention to detail is great on that car, and they are tiny!

 

Zack

3rd!

The replica class is going to be hard to call, I feel like they all pretty much nailed the 1:1 car. 
Aaron do you want to pm me your ideas? The pm system usually doesn't like yahoo email address. 

I appreciate the compliments all have issued to my Lotus 25 build. I suspect that there was less effort involved in it than either Claff's Miata or Javelin's Chevy. When you start with a kit where all of the parts fit there is a lot more impetus to add details. As for the size, yes the real car is tiny, but the kit is 1/20. That helps too. Also adding detail is easier when a car is as well documented as this. The Avanti is not eligible for this contest. I began deviating from my proof of scale example when I realized it wasn't going to be completed, and it is very obvious in the photos above. Tires!

My votes are the Jeep for replica and Zack's Subaru for competition. 

Best of Show goes to the Lotus for me. But I was impressed by 80% of the field this go-round. I've got a particular hankering to build another race car now.